[Amoslass]

Ok, I started with yet another disability employment place a few weeks back I'm voluntarily with them, the government isn't forcing me.
I sincerely want a job right but this woman I'm seeing is an idiot. I swear I told her I suffered from depression and anxiety in the first meeting, and she wrote that down!

But yesterday she says, "so have you been looking for work since I last saw you?"

Me, "well, frankly it's been rather difficult due to severe depression over the last few weeks"

Her, "Oh, you suffer depression?"

(WTF, I TOLD her about this, it's in her notes!)

"Yes, you already know that"

And here's the big offensive remark -

"Oh, well you have to fix that, you can't work if you have depression"



Excuse me, one of the reason I'm depressed is because I'm NOT working and I'd don't feel like a valued member of society!!!!! And anyhow, what do you MEAN I can't work with depression? People do it all the time! All I need is some effing support!!!

(sorry, it really got to me)

ANYHOW. I really do not want to go back there.I feel like I'm being treatedlike a child. I wonder if I can request someone else. She's doing less than what I can do for myself. I'm disabled, not a moron.

And on another sticking point - she's been editing my resume and has underlined Production Assistant with a whole lot of ???? after is. Um, considering it was for a short film, I think Production Assistant means "one who assists in production of film", right?

Ok, I've ranted. I just feel like I'm going around in circles. This is the 4th disability employment agency I've been with now.

Hm. Maybe it's me.

[(JD)]

I'm sorry to hear you're having issues with "the system" but...that's it's nature, right? The people are caught up in the system as employees and tend to follow a little treadwheel type procedures and mentality. (Though there are those who really fight to make it work for people. )

There are many sides to depression, one being anger. Your frustration comes with the depression, yet has to be acknowledged and worked on as well. This won't be the first time (I'm sure it isn't) and won't be the last time that someone doesn't come up to your needs and standards.

Realizing that no one is perfect, including us, will help you be more forgiving and patient (it takes work though ) with others...

and with yourself. Be more gentle with yourself. You are suffering. I do think that your depression will be lessened once you find employment. However, without changing your tendency to react to situations, you're just going to find more frustration with work and the people there, right?

It is so difficult for many of us to try and be nice and understanding with people we would normally label incompetent! However, that comes from where WE are, not them.

Breathe. Reframe. Be well.

[Amoslass]

I am more than willing to accept others fault but the problem is this: The place ONLY deals with people with disabilities - that means not only physical disabilities but psychological, learning and other disabilities. This woman really doesn't seem like she has been briefed on this at all. Afterall, 1 in 5 people suffers or has suffered a mental illness and they aren't ALL unemployed or unemployable. I can't just fix the depression.

I think I might see if I can have another case worker. She treats me like a child.

[(JD)]

I think I might see if I can have another case worker. She treats me like a child.
__________________

That sounds like a good idea to me.
Many of the "counselors" etc are rather new in the field (they're cheaper to hire and have little or no benefits to provide )... Be sure to speak nicely with the supervisor, so she has no basis to think it's you. Try to give her the phrases or actual situations to demonstrate that she is treating you like a child, rather than just making that statement. (I know, you probably already do, but I always accept a reminder when I'm stressed.)

Good wishes!

[Amoslass]

thank you

I am nervous about seeing her this week, I sent her a rather terse email in the heat of the moment. I know, I know, never ever email anyone when you are angry....argh!
It wasn't rude but it was quite obvious how annoyed i was, and maybe a touch sarcastic.

At this rate it'll be HER requesting I have another case-worker, not me! Oh, I hardly ever get like this, I am usually so polite and do things in a proffessional way...